The ASCO Post

Study Explores Duration of Shedding of Viable SARS-CoV-2 in Patients With Cancer After Immunosuppressive Therapy

In a single-institution study reported in a letter to the editor in The New England Journal of Medicine, Aydillo et al found that SARS-CoV-2 RNA could be detected in patients with COVID-19 receiving immunosuppressive treatment for cancer for as long as 78 days after the onset of virus symptoms. The authors also found that viable virus could be grown in culture at up to 61 days after symptom onset.

Association of Fall and Fracture Risk With Androgen Receptor Inhibitor Therapy for Prostate Cancer

In a systematic review and meta-analysis reported in JAMA Network Open, Myint et al found that androgen receptor inhibitor therapy for prostate cancer was associated with an increased risk of both falls and fractures.

Complexity of Designing Clinical Trials for Sarcoma: Shifting Focus to Constellation of Subtypes

Sarcoma encompasses more than 100 different subtypes, which makes it difficult to design studies to identify effective therapies. As researchers dig deeper into the constellation of subtypes of sarcoma, some therapies have been found for specific subtypes, explained William D. Tap, MD, in a presentation during the virtual 2020 Chemotherapy Foundation Symposium.

Statins Reduced Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Meta-analysis

A systemic meta-analysis has shown that statin users had a significantly reduced risk of colorectal cancer. The study included patients with and without inflammatory bowel disease, which is associated with an increased risk of this type of cancer. The largest chemopreventive effect was observed in patients with this gastrointestinal disorder, according to Kevin Singh, MD, who presented the findings during the virtual edition of the American College of Gastroenterology 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting.

Native American Ancestry May Impact Somatic Alterations Among Latin American Patients With Lung Cancer

Independent of smoking status, variation in EGFR and KRAS mutation frequency in Latin American patients with lung cancer was associated with Native American ancestry, according to a research brief published by Carrot-Zhang et al in Cancer Discovery. The findings of the genomic and ancestry analysis may suggest prevention and early detection strategies for lung cancer in Latin America and in other countries, especially for nonsmokers.

Study Shows Regional Variation in Genomic Testing for Men With Prostate Cancer

A study published by Michael S. Leapman, MD, and colleagues in JAMA Oncology found substantial regional variation in the use of genomic testing for prostate cancer, raising questions about access and other factors that might promote rapid adoption of new cancer technologies.

COVID-19: Infection Rate Among Patients Undergoing Anticancer Therapy and Its Effect on Cancer Clinical Trials

As COVID-19 infection rates again spike around the nation, this week on The ASCO Post Podcast, we're looking at two recent studies focused on COVID-19 and cancer. The first describes the rate of infection with the virus among asymptomatic patients with cancer undergoing active treatment for their solid tumors. The second explores how the ongoing pandemic is affecting the way in which patients with cancer choose to participate in clinical trials.

Addition of Ablative Therapy to Transarterial Chemoembolization in Nonmetastatic Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

In a single-institution cohort study reported in JAMA Network Open, English et al found that the addition of ablative therapy to transarterial chemoembolization improved freedom from local disease progression and overall survival in patients with nonmetastatic unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Pembrolizumab Plus Bevacizumab and Oral Metronomic Cyclophosphamide for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

In a single-institution phase II trial reported in JAMA Oncology, Zsiros et al found that the combination of pembrolizumab with bevacizumab and oral metronomic cyclophosphamide produced an objective response in approximately half of women with recurrent ovarian cancer taking part in the study. Moreover, the combination produced clinical benefit in nearly all patients.

Does Supplementation With Vitamin D Reduce the Risk of Developing Advanced Cancer?

The VITAL trial, which was completed in 2018, found that vitamin D did not reduce overall incidence of cancer, but it hinted at a decreased risk of cancer deaths. Now, in a secondary analysis of VITAL, a research team focused on the connection between taking vitamin D supplements and the risk of metastatic or fatal cancer. A report published by Paulette Chandler, MD, MPH, and colleagues in JAMA Network Open found that vitamin D was associated with an overall 17% risk reduction for advanced cancer.